Mḗ — G3361

G3361 · Greek — μή

Pronunciation: may

Definition

particle

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas

  1. As a negative adverb
    1. universally
    2. in deliberative questions with the subjunctive
    3. in conditional and final sentences
    4. joined with the infinitive
      1. after verbs of saying, declaring, denying, commanding, etc
      2. μή with an infinitive which has the article follows a preposition, to indicate the purpose or end
      3. in other expressions where an infinitive with the article is used substantively
      4. in sentences expressing consequence or result
    5. μή is joined with a participle , a. in sentences expressing a command, exhortation, purpose, etc
      1. in general sentences, in which no definite person is meant but it is merely assumed that there is someone of the character denoted by the participle
      2. where, indeed, a definite person or thing is referred to, but in such a way that his (its) quality or action (indicated by the participle) is denied in the thought or judgment either of the writer or of some other person
      3. where (with the participle) it can be resolved by (being) such (a person) as not, of such a sort as not
    6. in independent sentences of forbidding, dehorting, admonishing, desiring, etc., μή is Prohibitive ,Latinne, not
      1. with the 1 person plural of the subjunctive present
      2. with a present imperative, generally where one is bidden to cease from something already begun, or repeated, or continued
      3. with the third person (nowhere in the N. T. with the second) of the aorist imperative where the prohibition relates to something not to be begun, and where things about to be done are forbidden
      4. as in the more elegant Greek writings where future things are forbidden , with the 2 person of the aorist subjunctive
      5. with the 2 person of the present subjunctive
      6. with the optative, in wishes
  2. As a conjunction, Latinne with the subjunctive
    1. our that, that not or lest
      1. with the subjunctive present, where one fears lest something now exists and at the same time indicates that he is ignorant whether it is so or not
      2. with the subjunctive aorist, of things which may occur immediately or very soon
      3. with the indicative future (as being akin to the subjunctive )
    2. in order that not (Latineo consilio ne)
      1. with the optative
      2. with the subjunctive aorist
  3. As an Interrogative particle it is used when a negative answer is expected, Latinnum
    1. in a direct question
    2. in an indirect question with the indicative (German ob etwa, ob wohl, whether possibly, whether perchance), where in admonishing another we intimate that possibly the case is as we fear
  4. The particles οὐ μή in combination augment the force of the negation, and signify not at all, in no wise, by no means
    1. with the future indicative
    2. with the aorist subjunctive , in confident assertions
    3. with the present subjunctive

Usually translated as

not, that not, no, God forbid, lest, neither, nothing, none, cannot, any but, nor, never, untaken, without, forbear, lack, un

Origin

a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas G3756 expresses an absolute denial)

Occurrences

Mḗ occurs 703 times in 648 verses of the King James.

Distribution of the word across the Bible: Matthew (76), Mark (37), Luke (87), John (60), Acts (51), Romans (51), 1 Corinthians (54), 2 Corinthians (28), Galatians (15), Ephesians (13), Philippians (4), Colossians (10), 1 Thessalonians (10), 2 Thessalonians (9), 1 Timothy (17), 2 Timothy (3), Titus (9), Philemon (2), Hebrews (28), James (20), 1 Peter (13), 2 Peter (4), 1 John (16), 2 John (4), 3 John (2), Jude (3), Revelation (22)

Strong's Lexicon — M